Drilling fluid additive containing a fish oil/glycol mixture and related methods

Abstract

A drilling fluid additive for use during drilling and excavating applications, the additive comprises a mixture of an oil, an ester alcohol, nonionic surfactant and polypropylene glycol; and a method for manufacturing a drilling fluid additive comprising the step of admixing an oil, an ester alcohol, a nonionic surfactant, and a polypropylene glycol.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A drilling fluid additive comprising a mixture of a refined menhaden fish oil, an ester alcohol of a C 1  -C 16  straight and/or branched chain alcohol, a polyether polyolpoly (oxyethylene-oxy) propylene glycol nonionic surfactant, and a polypropylene glycol. 
     
     
       2. The drilling fluid additive of claim 1 wherein the ester alcohol is 2,2,4 trimethyl-1,3 pentanediol monoisobutyrate. 
     
     
       3. The drilling fluid additive of claim 1 wherein the nonionic surfactant is from about 1% to about 90% of the mixture. 
     
     
       4. The drilling fluid additive of claim 1 wherein the oil is from about 5% to about 90% of the mixture. 
     
     
       5. The drilling fluid additive of claim 1 wherein the ester alcohol is from about 1% to about 50% of the mixture. 
     
     
       6. The drilling fluid additive of claim 1 wherein the polypropylene glycol is from about 1% to about 75% of the mixture. 
     
     
       7. The drilling fluid additive of claim 1 wherein the drilling fluid additive is utilized as a lubricant. 
     
     
       8. The drilling fluid additive of claim 1 wherein the drilling fluid additive is utilized as a shale inhibitor. 
     
     
       9. A method of manufacturing a drilling fluid additive for use in drilling applications, said method comprising the step of admixing a refined menhaden fish oil, an ester alcohol of a C 1  -C 16  straight and/or branched alcohol, a polyether polyolpoly (oxyethylene-oxy) propylene glycol nonionic surfactant, and polypropylene glycol. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9 wherein the ester alcohol is 2,2,4 trimethyl-1, 3 pentanediol monoisobutyrate. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 9 wherein the nonionic surfactant is from about 1% to about 90% of the mixture, the oil is from about 5% to about 90% of the mixture, the ester alcohol is from about 1% to about 50% of the mixture and the polypropylene glycol is from about 1% to about 75% of the mixture. 
     
     
       12. A method of manufacturing a drilling fluid additive for use in drilling applications, said method comprising the steps of: a) mixing an ester alcohol of a C 1  -C 16  straight and/or branched chain alcohol and a refined menhaden fish;   b) adding polyether polyol-poly (oxyethylene-oxy) propylene glycol nonionic surfactant to the mixture and agitating the mixture; and   c) adding a polypropylene glycol to the mixture and further agitating the mixture.   
     
     
       13. The method of claim 12 wherein the mixing is conducted with a high speed dispenser and shear pump. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 12 wherein the mixing step is conducted until the mixture is homogenous. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 12 wherein the ester alcohol is 2,2,4 trimethyl-1, 3 pentanediol monoisobutyrate. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 12 wherein the nonionic surfactant is from about 1% to about 90% of the mixture, the oil is from about 5% to about 90% of the mixture, the ester alcohol is from about 1% to about 50% of the mixture and the polypropylene glycol is from about 1% to about 75% of the mixture.